School closures during the Covid-19 crisis have ripple affects on everyone. The EMSB Outreach Network has been creative ensuring their at risk students remain engaged, supported and if needed, nourished. Phone calls are made on a regular basis to check in with the students and if necessary one on one sessions for school work have been arranged.

EMSB Guidance Counselor Paola Borzone and EMSB Counselor David Mills chose a one on one approach not just for their students, but for the students’ families as well.

Volunteers are an integral component of the EMSB family. Dedicating their time to assist students and teachers alike.

Meet Penny Fenwick: Ms. Penny, as she is affectionately called, has been a sanctuary to students needing help at Willingdon Elementary for 50 years and counting.

50 YEARS!

And Willingdon Principal Carmen Nicolas talks about the invaluable service volunteers and especially Ms. Penny provide to the EMSB.

Today, speaking to Jamie Quinn, EMSB Educational Consultant and a Board Librarian Alissa Rosellini, the EMSB website, set up for keeping students engaged in learning during this time, is explained. How to use it, what you will find and the importance of setting up routine use of these valuable resources.

It’s all on the EMSB website: your most valuable tool for assisting your children’s education during the pandemic. www.emsb.qc.ca

Here are some important links for parents and students, for parental feedback and further information:

https://www.emsb.qc.ca/emsb/community/education

EMSB Virtual Library: http://virtuallibrary.emsb.qc.ca/

Email inquiries or questions to: [email protected]

To follow the Educational Services Department:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESDEMSB

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESDEMSB

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/ESDEMSBTUBE

Schools being closed does not mean the staff of the EMSB is not working. On the contrary, the entire staff has been working tirelessly to ensure the continued engagement and support of EMSB families and students. Keeping students engaged in learning during this difficult time of social distancing is what is motivating EMSB teachers and support staff.

Children with Special Needs are not being left behind. Sabrina Petrocco, Asst. Director of Student Services and Patrizia Sansone, Coordinator, Student Services Dept. explain what assistance is available to parents and children with special needs on the EMSB website and offer solid advice to those families searching for some semblance of balance and reassurance.

The EMSB has the highest graduation rates among public schools in the province. But that doesn’t mean high school is an easy time for students. Academic pressures, home pressures, social media, “squads” and more. Students have a lot on their plates and it can be overwhelming.

Adam Aktas knows exactly what that feels like, and then some.

During Perseverance Week, Adam visited his alma mater, Lester B Pearson High School, to talk to students about his devastating life changing experience that could easily have led him down a dangerous path. He was attacked and viciously beaten while walking home one dark winter afternoon. The body healed…but the mind and

heart took him through continued turmoil…to the brink. And he was only 14. Now, 5 years later and a student at Vanier College, Adam goes back to high schools to share his story and to impart that it’s decisions not conditions that will determine their futures.

Meet Adam Aktas along with LBPHS Teacher Paul Karpontinis and Sec 1 students Sheldon Beaudry and Lianna Wallace to hear how Adam’s story impacted them.

#overcominghurdles

The EMSB student body is bursting with not only academic but cultural and artistic talent as well. One Lester B Pearson High School Sec 4 student had the thrill of a lifetime for her 16th birthday when she was invited to sing the opening American and Canadian anthems at the Bell Centre on, what turned out to be on her birthday. Ariana Ianniciello has won numerous prizes for her singing and performs professionally. She uses the name Ari Skye as her singing alter ego. However, she is not leaning solely on her stunning voice for a future career. LBPHS provides her with many avenues to explore…and she is wide open to them.

Enjoy the vocal renderings of Ariana Ianniciello in our EMSB podcast!

The Commitment to Success Plan is an evaluation of student life among all EMSB schools. Not only a reading of academic standing but of the quality of student life both in and out of school. With this information, the EMSB is able to adjust their programs to continue to support all aspects of student life; academically, physically, as well as respond to areas of anxiety and safety.

Tracy Mangal is the Consultant for Commitment to Success and explains the participation of EMSB educators and students and what she has learned. Samantha Treville-Monroe, Gr 11 FACE, shares her experiences of school life and what she has obtained as a student and what life skills she will take with her upon graduation.

Libraries have come a long way since the Dewey Decimal System, and the EMSB has not only kept up with the times in transforming their libraries, but is forging ahead to be sure all students needs are met for reading, studying and yes, playing games. Turns out the new libraries are where students talk to each other, discuss and collaborate on projects and share ideas.

Julia Stark, Librarian at Lauren Hill Senior has lived the transformation earning her Masters of Library & Information Science from McGill in 2005. Julia guides us through the changes. Students Auriane Gaffney, Sec 5 Laurier MacDonald, Rachel MacPhee, Gr 5 Willingdon Senior Campus and Seri Dudley, Gr 6 Nesbitt Elementary share their passion for reading and how they are using the New EMSB Libraries as their Space To Explore digitally as well as on paper.

In what has become a tradition, every year 10 lucky General Vanier students have the opportunity to spend one morning at the Ronald McDonald House in Outremont, preparing a holiday lunch for the patients and their families. From cutting vegetables, to washing the dishes, the students look forward to this unique chance to bring a smile to the faces of children and parents who need it the most. In addition to a hearty meal, the students come bearing gifts as well as arts and crafts supplies to make this an unforgettable morning for everyone involved. This episode of the EMSB Podcast is just a small glimpse into this wonderful day, click below to listen now!

The holiday season is upon us as we rush to shower our families and friends with food and gifts. The holidays bring warmth to our homes as we remind ourselves how lucky we are for our loved ones.

As we all know, it’s not the story for everyone. At Lauren Hill Academy, the Junior campus is buzzing with ways to share their bounty with others who have to do with less. The annual CTV Spirit of Giving campaign is a conduit for the students of the EMSB to help those who don’t have as much.

Lauren Hill Academy Vice Principal Alex Kulczyk along with Sec 2 student Sienna Corral and Sec 1 student Sydney Kaufman spearheaded this year’s campaign at the Junior campus as they discovered a new way to engage their classmates and help out.